Yasuhiro Nakasone, the former prime minister of Japan who entered politics during the post-World War II American occupation of his country and spent the rest of his career championing the re-emergence of a more assertive and independent nation, died on Friday. He was 101. Mr. Nakasone’s office confirmed his death, which took place at a Tokyo hospital. Mr. Nakasone served as prime minister from 1982 to 1987, but continued to exert influence in Japan long after he left office and even after he was forced to relinquish his parliamentary position in 2003. Mr. Nakasone’s outsize domestic influence stemmed not only from his longevity but also from his conscious involvement in the key issues that faced Japan after World War II.

Source: New York Times November 29, 2019 04:52 UTC